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Biomedical subjects

T W Beeker

Publications and source records attributed to T W Beeker.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prediction of independence and intelligence at birth in meningomyelocele.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to compute a prediction of the future intelligence of every neonate with a meningomyelocele (MMC) on the day of birth to inform the parents. Earlier research revealed that the variables ventricle size, open arch above vertebra lumbar 3, a very small or a very large head can be attended by an IQ below 85 points: the turning point between dependence and independence. METHODS: Until now no research has been done combining the values of influencing variables in one equation. Our study used the equation of multiple longitudinal linear regression. For reference, data from the files of 148 neonates born in the years 1960-1980 were compared with those of Dutch children sampled by Verger. The working hypothesis that the IQ level is directly related to congenital deformities of the nervous system needs to be tested. As standard the values of variables at birth, the head circumference and length, the size of the ventricles and the highest open vertebral arch, are to be used. RESULTS: The Wisc-R of the MMC cohort had a mean of 84 points and 55% had an IQ above 85. The correlation computation of the values of all available variables with the values of the measured Wisc-R revealed the significance of the neuroanatomical variables, size of ventricle and level of the highest open vertebral arch and for the anthropomorphic variables Length and Length/Circumference. To establish the relationship between the Wisc-R value and the values of the significant variables an equation with the multiple linear regression method was used. The measured IQ is made dependent on the significant variables size of ventricle, level of highest open arch and quotient Length by Circumference. This equation produces a value called predicted IQ. The predicted IQ was 92%, the same or nearly the same as the measured Wisc-R IQ. CONCLUSION: This conformity of the measured IQ and the predicted IQ proves the possibility of using these birth data for prediction.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Spina bifida: feelings, opinions and expectations of parents.

Interviews with sixty-seven parents of spina bifida children show that a common problem is "shared parenthood" which, in turn, contributes to the child's difficulty in finding its own identity. The history of the parents after the birth of an affected child follows a pattern typified by "breaking points." At these points the parents reformulate the aim of management. When the physicians are unaware of these new aims and continue their regular treatment, they make it impossible for the parents to face the incurability of their child. This gives the physicians a continued responsibility, not unlike the decision to treat after birth.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recordings of the movement at the intervertebral segment L5-S1: a technique for the determination of the movement in the L5-S1 spinal segment by using three specified postural positions.

The pathomechanism of low-back pain generation is not understood very well. Functional disturbances of motion at the individual segmental level appear to play a role in many cases. In this study a technique of numeric analysis of radiographic observations of the lumbar spine is developed by which the authors are able to assess the displacement of the two components of the L5-S1 motion segment in the sagittal plane when the subject assumes three specified standard postural positions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toward standards for posture. Postural characteristics of the lower back system in normal and pathologic conditions.

On theoretic grounds it can be assumed that aberrations of posture may play a role in the generation of low-back pain by creating concentrations of stress. However, this assumption remains speculative because of the absence of criteria for normal posture. This study considers some of these criteria, especially as they are related to the lumbar spine and pelvis. The relations between the angle of declivity of the sacrum and radius and inclination of the lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine show good correlation. Mean values of postural parameters in the group of spondylolysis patients differ significantly from those in the group of healthy volunteers.

Adolescent↗